Welcome to Burke County, Georgia

Code Enforcement

4465491281_3b3618c932The Code Enforcement Department is responsible for responding to concerns from citizens that affect the quality of life within the county by enforcing the ordinances and codes in accordance with the Burke County Code of Ordinances. The Code Enforcement Department addresses various violations such as illegal dumping, inoperable vehicles, illegal junkyards, public nuisances and relocation of unpermitted homes.

Contact Information:
 
Officer Tyrone Brihm
706-554-8758-office
t.brihm@burkecounty-ga.gov

Burke County Solid Waste Facility
804 Landfill Rd, Waynesboro, GA 30830
Office Hours M-F 8:00 to 5:00 PM 
Judy Allen for fee schedule 
706-554-4125 
j.allen@burkecounty-ga.gov
 
This department utilizes surveillance equipment at dumpsites across Burke County to combat illegal dumping and littering.  The goal is to reduce the overall burden the tax payers of Burke County assume when dealing with the cleanup of illegal dumping throughout the county and ultimately lessen the environmental impact of illegal dumping by educating people and providing alternative options, such using a permitted landfill for environmentally sound disposal. 

Dumping is Illegal!
 
Abandoned piles of household garbage, bags of yard waste, discarded appliances, old barrels, used tires and demolition debris can threaten the health of humans, wildlife and the environment. These open dump sites can be found throughout Burke County at the bottom of ravines, in empty lots and pastures, and along roadsides. These are illegal disposal sites. If allowed to remain, they often grow larger and attract more dumping by others.
 
Open dumps create a public nuisance, divert land from more productive uses and depress the value of surrounding land. They can also pose the following health, safety and environmental threats:

  • Fire and explosion.
  • Injury to children playing in or around the dump site.
  • Disease carried by mosquitoes, flies and rodents.
  • Contamination of streams, rivers and lakes.
  • Contamination of soil and groundwater.
  • Contamination of drinking water wells.
  • Damage to plant and wildlife habitats.
  • Decrease in the quality of life to nearby communities and residents.
How to Report Illegal Dumping:

Causing or allowing open dumping is illegal and may result in substantial penalties. Report open dumping to the Burke County Code Enforcement Department. They can enforce various local laws and ordinances that prohibit illegal open dumping. They can also work with the State of Georgia to enforce state laws that prohibit illegal dumping.
If you see someone dumping or know of a dump site you are encouraged to provide as much information as possible about the dumping incident or dumpsite, including a detailed description of the incident and information about its location (type of vehicle, tag number, description, driving directions, etc.). We may also need information about the owner of the property where the dump is located. This information will help to expedite our investigation process.
You may remain anonymous.  We only ask for your identity so we can contact you in case we need more information to investigate your complaint and to provide you with information on the results of our investigation.  Despite the best intentions, anonymous complaints often do not provide enough information to pursue the complaint properly.  If you wish to remain anonymous and do not provide enough information, we will be unable to investigate your complaint.

To report illegal dumping call 706-554-8758 or 706-871-5227

Frequently Asked Questions

What can be dumped in the county's dumpsters?
Only waste created from use of household goods, the waste you would normally put in your kitchen or bathroom trash cans.  Below is a list of items that can't be dumped in or around the dumpster site in Burke County.  
 
Items such as those listed below must be taken to the Burke County Solid Waste Facility (Land fill) located on 804 Landfill Rd, Waynesboro, GA.
 
  • Agricultural equipment
  • Appliances (dryer, grills, refrigerator, stove, washer, etc.)
  • Building and construction materials (concrete, bricks, shingles, drywall, tile, etc.)
  • Bulk paper or cardboard
  • Chemical containers (gas cans, pesticide and herbicide containers, oil cans, etc)
  • Childrens toys (ride-on/in, playsets, blowups,etc)
  • Clothing
  • Computers, televisions, and other related items
  • Demolition material (ashes, clay, gravel, rock, sand, etc.)
  • Fixtures (lamps, light fixtures, sinks, toilets, etc)
  • Floor coverings (area rugs,carpet,tile,wood, etc)
  • Fluorescent light bulbs and ballasts
  • Furniture (mattresses, couches, box springs,tables, chairs, etc.)
  • Hazardous Materials and Medical Waste
  • Lawnmowers and other lawn equipment
  • Liquid waste (gasoline,freon, motor oil, etc.)
  • Lumber and treated lumber 
  • Marine vessels or parts
  • Metal furniture or other forms of lawn furniture
  • Paint, solvents, and other chemicals
  • Pesticides and Insecticides
  • Roofing materials
  • Tires 
  • Tree branches or yard waste (leaves,straw,mulch)
  • Vehicle and atv parts (body parts,batteries,glass,frame,plastics,etc)
  • Whole or partial tanks (acetylene, gas, oxygen, propane, septic, sealed drums,etc)
What Is Illegal Dumping?
Illegal dumping:  usually involves one or more of the following scenarios:

  • dumping waste on public or private property that is not licensed or permitted to receive waste
  • dumping waste, without a license or permit, into sewers or waterways
  • allowing another to dump waste on one’s land, without being licensed to receive such waste
  • dumping waste or unacceptable items at a public designated waste receptacle
  • use of waste receptacle by a non-Burke County resident
Is There a Difference Between "Littering" and Illegal Dumping?
States ordinances often distinguish between littering and illegal dumping. The difference is determined by the type and volume of waste. For example, improperly disposing of a small amount of typical household garbage, such as throwing an empty beverage bottle onto the side of the road, is littering.

On the other hand, dumping a larger volume of household waste, such as bags full of garbage or an old refrigerator, would constitute illegal dumping. State and local laws differ on the volume of household garbage required to constitute dumping, but the amount may be as little as that which fills a garbage can.

The type of waste is also relevant. Illegally disposing of a toxic chemical or hazardous item such as a car battery may constitute dumping, even though the volume or size of the waste material is relatively small.
Are there fines are penalties involved with littering and illegal dumping?
Burke County takes littering and Illegal dumping seriously.  Someone convicted of illegal dumping and/or Littering can be subjected to any or all of the following penalties: 

  • Incarceration. For misdemeanors, sentences may involve 12 months or less in the county jail.  The judge may require that the entire sentence be served in jail.
  • Fines. Courts impose fines to penalize defendants. These fines vary greatly, depending on the circumstances. Fines up to $1000.00 may be imposed for each conviction.  Court associated fees will also be assessed in addition to the total amount of the fine.
  • Probation. A person on probation regularly meets with a probation officer and fulfills other terms and conditions, such as maintaining employment and attending counseling.
  • Community service. Courts often include as a part of probation the requirement that the defendant work for a specified number of hours with court-approved organizations, such as charities.
  • Restitution. Courts often require defendants to pay for any damage they caused to someone’s property by their illegal dumping.
  • Remediation. Courts may require defendants to clean up and repair property damaged by their illegal dumping.
userway